Inaugural women’s rugby league grand final a proud moment for pioneers
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For Sydney Roosters five-eighth Lavina O'Mealey, rugby league has been a lifeline.
"I grew up in the middle of Redfern, the block, and we didn't have many positive role models to look up to, so that's what I wanted to be for the younger kids in my community," O'Mealey said.
The 34-year-old believes sport can changes lives.
"There are a lot of young Indigenous kids who are very gifted. I believe in if you can see it you can be it," she said.
O'Mealey has represented Australia and played for New South Wales but always dreamed that a women's NRL competition would be possible.
The mother of three is proud to be playing in the inaugural women's NRL grand final against the Broncos this Sunday before hanging up her boots at the end of the year.
"It is not about the accomplishments, it's the leaps and bounds women's rugby league has taken over the last few years and I pride myself for being a pioneer in that more than winning world cups or state of origins," she said.
The month-long competition featuring the Sydney Roosters, St George Illawarra Dragons, New Zealand Warriors and Brisbane Broncos will be reviewed to determine how it will run next year and O'Mealey says it's a good start.
"To be honest I'd like to see it go on a bit further, maybe play each other twice, add another two teams, but as a playing group we wanted to start out small," she said.
The Roosters went in as favourites, but scraped through to the grand final with a single win over the Dragons 26-0.
While the Brisbane Broncos produced an immaculate record winning three from three.
A fighting comeback
Broncos captain Ali Brigginshaw, 28, thought her lifelong goal of wearing her team's jersey was over in 2015 when she broke her leg in three places.
The five-eighth took her frustrations out in the boxing ring, becoming a national champion.
The diversion to boxing ended up transforming her performance on the field.
"I had no confidence after that broken leg, I did some muay thai and boxing but to give me that confidence that I could do it and get back to where I was," she said.
"It's taught me to train really hard, to challenge myself, when you step in that boxing ring you are on your own in there and you don't have any teammates."
The 28-year-old from Ipswich says competing in the grand final for the Broncos is a dream come true and fans are onboard.
"They just love it, they love the game of rugby league, back home we are the Queensland team and they are supporting us."
When the Roosters and Broncos last met two weeks ago the Broncos came out victors 14-4.
But neither side are being complacent.
"I wouldn't say there's any advantage going into a grand final," Brigginshaw said.
"We are building each week but grand final can bring anything so we have to bring our best and play better."
The women's grand final will be played as a curtain raiser to the men's on Sunday at Sydney Olympic Park.
But it's hoped that one day they will get to play in front of their own crowd.
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